Any special information about players: Drafted by the Orioles, #2nd, June 1978. Bats: right. Throws: right.

Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 21. This is his second card.

Blurb on the back: "Cal needs 5 HR's to break Ernie Banks' record for HR's by a SS."

Commentary: Just to be clear: regular Topps Cards means the number of regular cards the player appears in that doesn't include any subsets like Record Breakers, All-Stars, Super Veterans, or any other card that is not that player's regular base card during his playing career (so short printed variation cards in 2009 do not count into the total). Exceptions would be if the player appeared in a multiple-player rookie or prospect card. Cal Ripken, Jr., appeared in 21 different Topps sets (1982-2001 Topps, 1982 Topps Traded), hence 21 regular Topps cards. If you were to count all of his appearances in Topps eponymous sets, during his playing career, you'd have 47 cards (which includes the five separate cards from 2000 Milestones). Still playing shortstop for the O's, and only a couple of years away before becoming MLB's Iron Man. Cal put up incredible numbers and had received so many accolades up to this point in his career that even without the "streak," the man was destined for the Hall of Fame. He broke the mold of what a traditional shortstop (slick fielding, but not to heavy on the power) and set the standard for those who would come after him (specifically, guys who would become household names in the 90's and deep into the 2000's). The picture used for his 1994 card is perfect for the horizontal orientation. Look at his follow through and you can imagine what his wingspan would be like (if he had wings of course). The only drawback would probably be the home plate shaped frame that separates the picture from the name plate (the angle seems a bit off where at the bottom tip of home plate). But still, with the orange and gray color scheme used in the design elements, it is a beautiful card. Regarding the blurb, I'm pretty sure he broke that record in 1994.

Beckett value: $0.60-$1.50.

How many cards of this player do I own?: 117 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1997 Topps #360. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Hope you will be too.

Dad, I'm Praying For You!!!

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The Topps 300 (and then some...)

Inspired by Topps attempt to whittle down the Top 60 cards of All-Time, I thought that the Hobby Blogging Community can do better. And now that they have been announcing, card by card, the results of their voting, now is the time to ensure that your favorite cards from every year is on the ballot.

The best five cards from each year (my opinion, from 1951-2010) is included in each post (see the slideshow on the sidebar). I am inviting readers to add comments to each post telling me what cards should have been included. What will happen eventually is that every card will be put to a vote to determine the best card from every year, and then the best cards of All-Time.

So please take the time to visit the site and let me know what you think.

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For the record (like this even needs to be pointed out...), bdj610 does not work for, and is not affiliated in any way with, the Topps Company Incorporated, or any of their corporate partners, associates, or vendors. All views and opinions expressed on this blog are strictly those of the writer alone and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of any employee of the Topps Company, the Tornante Group, or Madison Dearborn Partners.

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